Attention MBLL Baseball Parents - Little League International Issues Update Regarding Composite Bats: Moratorium Imposed Immediately
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (Dec. 30, 2010) - Little League
International has placed a moratorium on the use of composite bats in the
Little League (Majors) Division and all other baseball divisions of Little
League, effective immediately.
"Today's
decision of the Little League International Board of Directors Executive
Committee is based on scientific research data from the University of
Massachusetts (Lowell), which was contracted by Little League Baseball,"
Stephen D. Keener, President and Chief Executive Officer of Little League
Baseball and Softball, said. "The maximum performance standard for
non-wood bats in the divisions for 12-year-olds and below is a Bat Performance
Factor (BPF) of 1.15. The research found that composite bats, while they may
meet the standard when new, can exceed that standard after a break-in
process."
Local Little Leagues were first informed of the research
last September.
"From the beginning, and throughout this process, we
wanted to keep everyone informed," Patrick W. Wilson, Vice President of
Operations at Little League International, said. "Our intent was to
provide local league constituents clear direction regarding composite bats.
There is a process through which manufacturers can submit individual models for
a possible waiver if they wish to seek it. Going forward, we will let our
leagues know which ones meet the standards for the Little League Baseball
(Majors) 12-and-under divisions, if any."
On Sept. 1, Little League International placed a moratorium
on composite bats in the Junior, Senior, and Big League Baseball Divisions of
Little League. Subsequent to that moratorium, some composite bat models have
received a waiver and may be used in those divisions. Information on the
composite bats that have received waivers for the Junior, Senior, and Big
League Baseball Divisions of Little League may be found here:
http://www.littleleague.org/learn/equipment/approvedcompbats.htm
At present, no composite bats for the Little League (Majors)
Division and below have received a waiver. If and when any models do receive a
waiver, Little League International will inform its leagues of that decision.
The moratorium on composite bats, which now applies to all
baseball divisions of Little League, does not apply to any softball divisions
of Little League.
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Sincerely,
Little League International
o our community's youth.
